I have been a Senior Companion with EightCAP for going on 18 years now. Thant was one of the best decisions I have made. This program has changed the lives of so many of the clients I have had the pleasure of being with in their home. Their loneliness just disappears! We end up being their family. Not only have our clients’ lives changed but ours are too. It gives us reason to feel like we matter in this life. The money we make helps all of us, as some try to balance buying medicine or buying food. I have also formed some very special friendships with our group of companions. We need to keep this program going. It is more cost effective to keep clients in their homes with volunteers to assist. Them. This keeps them more independent.
I was also very humbled by being named Volunteer of the Year in May of 2019. I was privileged enough to be with her and encourage her as she battled cancer for two years. She was diagnosed in 2017. It was a rough two years for us both. A lot of tears and long treatments days. As she went through it, I kept her spirits up and aiming her towards the cancer-free outcome we were striving for. She is now cancer free and is so thankful this program was there for her when she needed some extra help. She was able to go down to Lansing when I received my award. We are still together playing cards and doing fun activities. A very deep friendship has blossomed from our time together.
I pray this program never has to end. It is such a blessing for whoever receives our help and a bigger blessing for us that service many needy in-home clients. I am proud to be a part of this program. May God bless this program with many more years!
Pat W. – volunteer
